“Research is revealing that there is a relationship between abnormalities in the spine, the nervous system and the reproductive system” stated Dr. Matthew McCoy, a chiropractor, public health researcher and editor of the journal that published the study. “There are now at least two dozen research studies previously published that show successful conceptions and the delivery of healthy children following the introduction of chiropractic care and the addition of this one adds further weight to the evidence.”

“It makes perfect sense when you think about it” stated Dr. McCoy. “As chiropractors we know that obstruction of spinal nerves lead to all sorts of dysfunction and this is certainly true with reproductive function. Of all the various non-musculoskeletal conditions amenable to chiropractic, anecdotes and testimonials abound on the positive effects of chiropractic care in patients with infertility.”

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after at least one year of unprotected intercourse and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that there were 7.3 million infertile women in the U.S. in 2002 with 1.2 million women having had an infertility-related medical appointment. These data also indicate that from 30 years of age and on, rates of infertility increase. There are many reasons for both male and female infertility, including problems with egg production, anatomic, immune and hormonal factors for the female and sperm count for the male.

“Considering the fact that every single function of the body is controlled by the nervous system it should not surprise anyone that removing obstructions to the neurology that controls reproductive function would lead to alleviation of some of the problems related to infertility” remarked Dr. McCoy. “What is surprising is that more research funding has not been provided to study these effects in larger populations of women.”

The woman reported on in this study was a 30-year old nurse who was diagnosed with infertility over one year prior. She also suffered from headaches, mid and low back pain. Medical interventions related to the infertility including Clomid and temperature monitoring had failed.

The chiropractor examined her and found muscle spasm, decreased range of motion, decreased sensation, abnormal posture and reduced quality of life. X-rays were taken that revealed structural shifts in her neck, mid and low back. These structural shifts can lead to obstruction of the nerves and it is this obstruction, called vertebral subluxations, that chiropractors correct.

The patient began ovulating after beginning chiropractic care and conceived three months later. Her headaches and low back pain resolved and her quality of life improved.

The authors called for further research to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and cost related to chiropractic care and infertility.